Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District

Weather Station Program

The MNNRD, along with partners in Nebraska and South Dakota, sponsors two automated weather stations. The High Plains Automated Weather Data Network (AWDN) collects information on weather variables that are known to be of importance to agricultural crop and livestock production for both research and service purposes. Crop Water Use (evapotranspiration) is calculated from hourly data that is collected which includes: air temperature and humidity, soil temperature and moisture, precipitation, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation. The information is downloaded to the server daily and will be accessible to landowners and producers through the internet. Area producers/landowners can use this information to help them make more precise and timely decisions regarding their operations and their reporting.

The weather data collected is also utilized for the designation and confirmation of a disaster area for individual and county reporting whether it is for Farm Service Agency (FSA) low interest emergency loans, the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), or ad hoc emergency disaster programs. The NRCS and Environmental Services use this data to assist FSA with determining the amount of grazing loss due to disaster (hail, drought, etc.)

For more information visit the High Plains Regional Climate Center